SERIES: Bruce Bradley 3, Patrick Parker 2, Peter Simmons 1 and Joyce Blackley. lm073012motor8
THE 24th annual trophy presentation evening for the Portland District Motor Sports Club was held upstairs at the Portland RSL Club with around 60 drivers and supporters enjoying a superb Chinese dinner and trophy presentation.
As usual Master of Ceremonies was club president Ray Blackley who addressed the crowd on what was another great year of speedway racing with plenty of outstanding performances by club drivers throughout the shortened five race meeting season.
Blackley also congratulated the Microsprints, Quarter Midgets, Vintage Speedcars, Dwarf Cars and the Sydney Fender Benders for making Cullen Bullen their home track and contesting their respective NSW State Championships at the track.
Awards
Jason Bennett took out the Brackenrig Haulage sponsored Super Production class with 144 points from last year’s victor Sue Healey driving her hot Honda with 138 points while newcomer Adam Palmer claimed third place with 64 points.
Lithgow Tyre Service again backed the sensational Series Class giving Peter Simmons the yearly pointscore victory at the wheel of his Commodore with second spot filled by Patrick Parker and the Ford Falcon driving Bruce Bradley notching up third.
Rod Lorimer’s Portland Shell Service Station-sponsored Street Stock Class gave Orange residents two podium finishes with father John Swadling the winner amassing 138 points at the wheel of his well worn Sigma.
Former fender bender Steven Lewis claimed second place at the wheel of his old faithful HT Holden with 99 points and John’s son Ben was third in his Mazda just three points back with 96 points.
Young Mitchell Duggan of Cullen Bullen won the Junior Class at the wheel of his Honda for the second consecutive year with 178 points over Kiel Swadling of Orange driving a beautifully turned out Mitsubishi Mirage for the third year in second place with 130 points ahead of new driver Scott Bradley who amassed 77 points.
The new Aussie Six class again proved to be the most hotly contested, giving the Blackley boys yet again a clean sweep of the close racing six cylinder class.
This year father Kevin gave his sons a driving lesson and posted a victory for Ford with 146 points followed by youngest son Andrew just four points in arrears on 142 with Martin third on 124 points, both driving Commodores.
Martin and Andrew, Kevin and wife Jodie also had a hugely successful year of competition in the Sydney scene at the Parramatta City Raceway.
Wayne Swadling of Orange won the Second Drivers class with 54 points over John Spicer on 36 followed just four points back by Falcon flyer Bruce Bradley on 32 points.
Due to the dramatic lack of entries, the Ladies class and the under two litre class were not contested although some ladies and a handful of the under two litres raced at some stage during the season.
For the second time, taking home the magnificent green granite Glady and Clive Rochester Memorial Trophy for the Battler of the Year was young Kevin Sawdy not missing a meeting in the Junior class driving his Ford Escort.
Adam Palmer also did not miss a race meeting to collect the Rookie of the Year Trophy after an ever improving season in the Super Production Class.
Voted the Most Improved Driver of the season and recipient of the beautiful Bill and Hazel Williams Trophy was Scott Bradley.
Leaving the most important trophy until last, the Club Person of The Year, resulted in long time Sita water truck driver Bob Sawdy again taking home the trophy after all the members’ voting slips were counted.
Valued sponsors
Thank you for valued sponsorship plates were presented to Chris and Alma Brackenrig Haulage, McFadden Ice Supplies, Phil and Marg Downey’s Portland Newsagency, Joyce Blackley, Stone Pest and Weed Control and JR Conveyors Pty Ltd.
Appreciation awards
Valued appreciation was awarded to Debbie Martin, Alma Brackenrig, Jenny Wittingslow, Jodie Blackley, Barbara Milne, Edna Walton, Beryl Milton, Shantelle Milton, Julie McCann, Leanne Cathie, Aleisha Martin, Jasmine Johnstone, Graeme Martin, Ray Blackley, Kevin Blackley, Martin Blackley, Andrew Blackley, Bob Sawdy, Hans Roelven, Mark Willis, Brian Dakers, John Ferris, Chris McCann, David Giffin, Bob Dobson and Shane Duggan for organising, conducting and presenting the speedway racing at the action attraction of the central west, the Cullen Bullen Raceway.
Appreciated
Club supporters donating gifts for the monster fundraising raffle included Wallerawang Village Meats, R and A Chainsaws and Mowers, Lithgow Tyre Service, Rod Lorimer Shell Service Station Portland, Western Autoquip Lithgow, Portland Newsagency, Repco Lithgow, My Butcher on Main, Blackley Enterprises and Leanne Cathie.
All in all yet another great year with the new season commencing in September
